The Boy Hunters

Front matter

THE BOY HUNTERS

OR

ADVENTURES IN SEARCH OF A WHITE BUFFALO

Preface

This book has been written for boys. In the endeavour to inteiest the juvenile intellect, it is necessary to deal with physical rather than moral facts. The author is therefore debarred the use of that intellectual imagery, that might prove his pretensions to literary excellence. To the latter no claim is laid, in the present instance. Show and stylo have been sacrificed upon the altar of simplicity — at least, such has been the aim.

"While undertaking no responsibility for the truth of his story, the author of the " Boy Hunters " claims consideration for the truthfulness of the materials out of which it is constructed — what, for want of a better expression, he may be j)ennitted to call the mise en scene of his little drama. He makes bold to endorse the gemiineness of its scenery and its natural fads. He is not conscious of having taken any liberty, for the sake of effect, with the laws of natme — with its fauna, or its ^ora. Neither plant nor tree, bird nor mammal, has been pressed into sendee, beyond the limits of its geographical range ; although, in illustrating the habits

or history of God's wild creatures, he has often selected only tneir more peculiar characteristics.

Whether or not the structure may please the critic, it ia hoped that he will acknowledge the goodness of the materials. But the temple may not be admired, though built of

r

the purest marble.

Contents

tmip.

J. THE HOME OF THE HUXTER-NATURALIST

PAOI I